About our training academy

Minnesota Capoeira Academy began in 2009 under the leadership of Instrutor Coruja (James Lynch). In 2010 Monitora Vespa (Jennifer Johnson-Blanchard) brought her martial arts experience and school management and business skills to the team, and together they developed it from a small club to a thriving training academy. Currently the group is operated by a board of Directors: James Lynch, Jennifer Johnson-Blanchard, Deborah Bozic, and Jim Bozic. The excitement and dedication of our students is our strongest point. We pride ourselves in creating a positive community made up of people from all different walks of life, and we firmly believe that capoeira has the power to improve the quality of life of everyone.
The mission of our academy is to promote the art of Capoeira around the globe through development of a high quality training academy, a professional performance group, and a community culture and education program.
Non-Profit Status
Minnesota Capoeira Academy is a registered 501.c.3 non-profit.
We rely on student activity and the community to help fund our growth. Your donations can help us reach out to more individuals and teach them the values and skills that our capoeira group provides.
You can donate directly to our GiveMN page.
You can also donate to our academy via the Amazon Smile program. By using this Amazon Smile link, a percentage of your online purchases will then be donated back to our academy by Amazon.
We appreciate your generosity and support!
The mission of our academy is to promote the art of Capoeira around the globe through development of a high quality training academy, a professional performance group, and a community culture and education program.
Non-Profit Status
Minnesota Capoeira Academy is a registered 501.c.3 non-profit.
We rely on student activity and the community to help fund our growth. Your donations can help us reach out to more individuals and teach them the values and skills that our capoeira group provides.
You can donate directly to our GiveMN page.
You can also donate to our academy via the Amazon Smile program. By using this Amazon Smile link, a percentage of your online purchases will then be donated back to our academy by Amazon.
We appreciate your generosity and support!
In Association
![]() Capoeira Floração, of the Minnesota Capoeira Academy, works in association with Luanda Brasil Capoeira. This group is led by Mestrando Camundongo (Felipe Moreira - Pictured to the right) and Mestre Kuke out of São Paulo, Brazil. Instrutor Coruja met Mestrando Camundongo in 2007 when he was doing volunteer work with homeless children around the city of São Paulo. He trained with him for the few months that he was there and they have remained in contact with each other over the years. Mestrando Camundongo is a physical therapist with a specialty in functional training and has over 20 years of experience in Capoeira. The goal of this association is for Luanda Brasil Capoeira to aid Capoeira Floração in its growth as it's own capoeira group, and to help it's instructors maintiain a high level of training in order to provide the highest possible quaility of training for the members of Capoeira Floração at the Minnesota Capoeira Academy.
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Instrutor Coruja

Instrutor Coruja (James Lynch) has over 22 years of experience in martial arts, 10 of which he has spent training and instructing capoeira under the guidance of Mestre Preguica of the Omulu Capoeira Group. He began instructing capoeira in Minneapolis in 2009 when Omulu Capoeira of MN was a small club, and has since developed it into a thriving training academy- now Capoeira Floração of the Minnesota Capoeira Academy.
In October of 2015 Coruja was promoted to the title of Instrutor under Mestre Preguica, and continues to direct the Minnesota Capoeira Academy.
In October of 2015 Coruja was promoted to the title of Instrutor under Mestre Preguica, and continues to direct the Minnesota Capoeira Academy.
Instrutora Vespa

Monitora Vespa (Jenny Johnson-Blanchard) has over 17 years of experience in martial arts- 14 of which she has spent instructing. She began her capoeira training with Omulu Capoeira of MN with Instrutor Coruja as her teacher. She developed the Minnesota Capoeira Academy alongside Instrutor Coruja, and continues to co-direct the academy.
Assistant Teachers |
MN Capoeira Academy Belt Progression |
Monitora Tijolinho
"Capoeira to me is self care. It’s a way for me to take care of my body and mind." Monitora Tornado “Why I love capoeira? It always puts me in a good mood. The way each person gives a part of themselves in everything they do makes all the hard work worth it.” Graduada ToTo "Capoeira is wonderful not only because you get out of it exactly what you put in, but because the path has never ends." Graduado Sinho Rodgers “Capoeira é a minha familia.” (Capoeira is my family.) Graduada Cuscuz "I love the sense of community and support I get from doing capoeira. Since joining Capoeira Floracao I have become a happier, stronger, and more confident person!" |